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First Unity Church of St. Louis2019 Volume 1 Issue 4
Minister’s Corner
THE GREATEST GIFT
The fast-approaching holiday season can be a time of joy and celebration. We might envision a Hallmark Christmas -- a loving family enjoying a delicious gourmet meal expertly prepared and served in a tastefully decorated home. After dinner, they gather around a beautifully decorated Christmas tree and gaze out the window to unspoiled sparkling snow. Everyone eagerly anticipates opening gifts uniquely tailored to their interests and desires. This is a lovely picture; however unless we have “staff,” it is going to take a lot of preparation and hard work to make this happen. What about the pressure to find that perfect gift for everyone on our list? I vividly remember last year standing in line to purchase a last-minute gift when the woman in front of me turned around and said, “I will be so glad when Christmas is over.”
Maybe we need to stop, breathe, and follow the advice of that great philosopher, the Grinch, who thought, “Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a lot more.” The Advent season, comprising the four weeks before Christmas, is a time of preparation, but it is about more than decorating, gift giving, and all our other holiday traditions. It’s a time for us to rejoice in the 2,000-year old story of the birth of Jesus and a time for us to prepare for and celebrate the spiritual rebirth of our own Divine nature – the Christ within. Perhaps this sacred season, our focus needs to shift from doing to being. This is the time to contemplate, claim, nurture, and share those gifts that are more precious than anything we could purchase – the inner gifts that are the themes of Advent: Faith, Peace, Love, and Joy.
FAITHTrue faith is a spiritual power, a deep inner knowing that allows you to look beyond illness to wholeness; beyond lack to abundance; beyond discord to harmony. You give this precious gift to others when you behold the Christ in them.
PEACEThe peace of God is always with you. You only have to open your mind and heart to feel its presence. In the midst of crowded stores, long lines, and family disharmony, you can surrender the details to The Divine within and be the presence of peace.
LOVEDivine Love reaches into the depths of your being; Christ Love is your nature. During this sacred season, set the intention to savor every experience and look for every opportunity to give and receive love. Let all you do be done in love.
JOYJoy is a gift from God; it comes from deep within your heart. As you express joy in all you do during this busy time, join in jubilant celebration of your oneness with the Divine and all humankind. Give your gift of joy.
Rev. Kelly Isola wrote, “Recognize you are a sparkling present from the cosmos. And it is time to unwrap yourself in order to share your magnificence with the world.”
Join us the first four Sundays in December to explore the themes of Advent as we celebrate the age-old Christmas story that is as new as this now moment. Complimentary copies of the Unity Advent booklet, “Christmas in My Heart, Christmas in my Hands” are available. Have a blessed holiday season and remember,YOU ARE THE GIFT.
Minister, Jan Mourning
Board OfficersPresident, John YoungVice-President, Rick EmnettSecretary, Betty Jean KofronTreasurer, Hope Dodson
Board of TrusteesBetty PonzarMary Tumminello
Prayer ChaplainsLance BaughHope DodsonLinda HarrAnne HartupeePaul HenleyLynn MarkBetty PonzarMary Tumminello
Unity Basic Principles
We encourage you to explore and apply Unity teachings based on your own spiritual understanding. We believe this spiritual understanding is enhanced through reflective prayer and meditation.
The five basic Principles that make up the Unity belief system are:
Principle OneGod is the source and creator of all. There is no other enduring power. God is good and present everywhere.
Principle Two We are spiritual beings, created in God’s image. The spirit of God lives within each person; therefore, all people are inherently good.
Principle ThreeHuman beings create their experiences by the activity of their thinking. Everything in the manifest realm has its beginnings in thought.
Principle Four Prayer is creative thinking that heightens the connection with God-Mind and therefore brings forth wisdom, healing, prosperity, and everything good.
Principle FiveKnowing and understanding the laws of life, also called truth are not enough. A person must also live the Truth that he or she knows.
Platform AssistantsHope DodsonLinda HarrMary Tumminello
Bookstore ManagerJane Vondruska
WebmasterCarol Ellerman
Office ManagerSara DeWitt
MusicAnne Hartupee, Music DirectorDean Wiegert, Soloist
Youth Ministry TeamDenise Halbert-Reggio, DirectorGlenda GibhardtCindy Gibb
Newsletter EditorPatricia [email protected]
In This Issue: First Unity Church of St. Louis Newsletter Minister’s CornerUnity Basic PrinciplesPrayer Circle MinistrySave The Date
Upcoming EventsHumor Core ValuesCalendarsPhotographs
Nov/Dec 2019
Save the Date
Thanksgiving Eve
Join the greater Unity community for our annual Thanksgiving Eve Service at 7:00 pm at Unity Church of Light, 2809 Yale Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63301.
The Art of Abundance:10 Rules for a Prosperous Life
On Thursday, November 7th at 6:45 p.m., we will have our last class on “The Art of Abundance” by Dennis Merritt Jones. This book helps readers open their eyes to the limitless abundance waiting just beyond their current belief system.
Books are available in the First Unity bookstore.
Prayer Circle Ministry
Our Unity movement began with one woman’s prayers for healing. Following the example of Myrtle Fillmore, we pray in the consciousness that all we need and desire is already ours. Almost 100 years ago under the leadership of Rev. Hilda Eilers, our spiritual community established a Prayer Circle, then called A-S-K: Ask, Seek, Knock.
Today enriching lives through positive, affirmative prayer is part of the current mission at First Unity. We are currently seeking volunteers to revive the First Unity Prayer Circle. From the comfort of your own home, you can participate either by passing prayer requests and intentions along in a telephone chain or via email. If you are interested in participating in this sacred service, please sign the Prayer Circle Ministry sheet in the lobby or call the church office. We will have a brief organizational meeting on January 12 after service.
Ladies Night Out
The next Ladies Night Out will be November 21, 2019 at 5:30 pm at Syberg’s Restaurant, 249 Arnold Crossroads Center, Arnold, MO 63010.We will be having our Christmas Party on December 16, 2019 at 5:30 pm. Please bring a dish and a white elephant gift exchange to the party. Please contact Mary at [email protected] for more information.
Book Club
Our Book Club meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 2 pm – 4 pm at The St. Louis Bread Company on Tesson Ferry Road, St. Louis, MO.
Future books:November 12, 2019 “Still Life” by Louise PenneyDecember 10, 2019 “Breakfast With Buddha” by Roland MerulloJanuary 14, 2020 “Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine” by Gayle Honeyman
Looking forward to seeing you at the Book Club!
For further information, please e-mail Carol at [email protected]
Decorations for Christmas
We will decorate the church for Christmas on Nov. 30th, 2019, 10 am. All elves are welcomed.Our Christmas decorations will be dismantled on Dec. 28, 2019 10 am. All helping hands will be appreciated.
Upcoming Events
Christmas Goodies Bake Sale
Sunday, December 15 after service we will be having our annual Christmas Bake Sale.
Bring your favorite Christmas cookies, cakes, candies or treats and purchase a variety for your holiday gatherings.
All our baked goods will be sold on a Love Offering basis. There won’t be a sign-up for the baked goods, just joyously bring them to church.
If you need additional information, e-mail Hope at [email protected] or Donna at [email protected]
Christmas Candle Lighting Service
As we approach the Advent season, we look forward to our Christmas Candle Lighting Service on Sunday, December 22, at 10:30 a.m. The candlelight service is to help us bring forth and celebrate the birth of Christ consciousness within our souls.
The Candle Lighting service celebrates the “12 Living Lights” within each of us. These twelve lights or powers are given to us from our Divine Creator for the purpose of unfolding our unique, individual Christ nature. As we unfold the Christ consciousness within, we also use these powers to express the eternal activity of God in all things and in all ways.
This special service is a great reminder about the true focus of Christmas. We look forward to seeing you this year at the Christmas Candle Lighting service.
Santa and Luncheon
Join us after service on Sunday, December 22 for our annual Christmas luncheon. Invite family and friends. Santa and Mrs. Claus are expected to attend!
Burning Bowl CeremonyDecember 29, 2019 10:30 a.m,
Bridgett Nicole wrote, “One of the most courageous decisions you will ever make is to finally let go of what is hurting your heart and soul.” The Burning Bowl Ceremony is a sacred and powerful ritual – a symbolic release to the fire – designed to let go of old wounds, false beliefs, and negative emotions that are blocking the flow of good in your life. Engaging in the burning bowl ritual allows you to consciously clear away the old in order to prepare for abundant joy and peace in the new year. As the fire transforms the energy in the paper surrendered to the fire, so your soul will be transformed by the spiritual power of release.
White Stone Ceremony January 5, 2020 10:30 a.m.
Following the Burning Bowl ritual, the White Stone Ceremony prepares you to create the vision of what we are called to be in the new year. In the time of Jesus, prisoners were given a new name as they were released to prove to society that all debts were paid and they were legitimately free. Through meditation, you will listen to Spirit within and your new name will be revealed to you. You will write your new name on a white stone from Jerusalem that will be yours to keep as a reminder of what you have set the intention to be in 2020. This powerful experience will be followed by our annual Souper Sunday luncheon.
Souper Sunday
Sunday, January 5, 2020 please join us in the downstairs community room after the Burning Bowl Service for “Souper” Sunday!!We will graciously accept food items prepared for this special occasion on the day of the event.
Please sign up for soup, bread or dessert on the signup sheets in the foyer.
Bring a can or two of soup for Feed My People.Hope to see you all there!!
Feed My People
Feed My People is one of the community agencies our church supports. Those who attended the complimentary luncheon hosted by our Outreach Ministry last year had an opportunity to learn more about their mission, as well as how we may be of service to their organization. Place your donations in the basket just inside our church bookstore. We are also collecting clothing and coats. A bin is provided in the Book Store.
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me...” Matthew 25:35
HUMOR
You Better Be GoodSarah and her thirteen-year-old sister had been fighting a lot this year. This happens when you combine a headstrong two-year-old, who is sure she is always right, with a young adolescent. Sarah’s parents, trying to take advantage of her newfound interest in Santa Claus, reminded the two-year-old that Santa was watching and doesn’t like it when children fight. This had little impact. “I’ll just have to tell Santa about your misbehavior,” the mother said as she picked up the phone and dialed. Sarah’s eyes grew big as her mother asked “Mrs. Claus” (really Sarah’s aunt; Santa’s real line was busy) if she could put Santa on the line. Sarah’s mouth dropped open as Mom described to Santa (Sarah’s uncle) how the two-year-old was acting. But, when Mom said that Santa wanted to talk to her, she reluctantly took the phone. Santa, in a deepened voice, explained to her how there would be no presents Christmas morning to children who fought with their sisters. He would be watching, and he expected things to be better from now on. Sarah, now even more wide eyed, solemnly nodded to each of Santa’s remarks and silently hung the phone up when he was done. After a long moment, Mom (holding in her chuckles at being so clever) asked, “What did Santa say to you, dear?” In almost a whisper, Sarah sadly but matter-of-factly stated, “Santa said he won’t be bringing toys to my sister this year.” At Grandma’s- Written by Tab Nettleton
Two young boys were spending the night at their grandparents. At bedtime, the two boys knelt beside their beds to say their prayers when the youngest one began praying at the top of his lungs.“I PRAY FOR A NEW BICYCLE...I PRAY FOR A NEW NINTENDO...I PRAY FOR A NEW VCR...”
His older brother leaned over and nudged the younger brother and said, “Why are you shouting your prayers? God isn’t deaf.” To which the little brother replied, “No, but Gramma is!”
Dean Christopher A Classic Vegas~
Rat Pack & More Christmas
Featuring: Joe Dreyer-piano, Ric Vice-bass, Kevin Gianino-drums, Randy Holmes-trumpet, Paul DeMerath-trumpet, Aaron Lehde-sax, Steve Frioux-trombone
December 14, 2019 - 7:30pm
First Unity Church 4753 Butler Hill Rd
For tickets ($20) and info call Chuck at 314-614-2950 or First Unity at 314-845-8540
One of our core values for First Unity Church is: ACCEPTANCE
Practicing Jesus’ teaching of love and understanding, we unconditionally honor the Divine Essence of each person.
COMMUNITY BEHAVIORS
l We rejoice in the individuality of each person and the richness this diversity brings to our spiritual community l As an inclusive community, we prayerfully support and consciously recognize the sacred worth of all people l We celebrate life together knowing that we are all made in the image and likeness of the omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient God
INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIORS
l I practice self-acceptance and monitor self-talk to ensure I am saying only affirming, loving Truths to myself l I challenge myself to reach out to others who appear different from me l I listen mindfully and extend appreciation for other’s ideas and opinions
Minister: Jan MourningOffice: 314.845.8540
Email: [email protected]: www.FirstUnityChurchofSt.Louis
SilentUnity prayer support1.800.NOW PRAY (669.7729)
uPray is a free mobile download
November
2019
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2
AA, 7pm Prayer Chaplain Training, 1pm-5pm
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Singles Meeting, 12pm Daylight Savings Time Ends
Knitting/Crochet Group, 11am
AA, 10am CA, 7pm
Art of Abundance Class, 645pm-845pm Ukulele Practice, 7pm
AA, 7pm
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Prayer Chaplain Mtg,
645pm Book Club, 2pm AA, 10am
CA, 7pm AA, 7pm
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Ladies’ Night Out,
530pm Knitting/Crochet Group, 11am
AA, 10am Hospitality Mtg, 6pm Board Meeting, 7pm CA, 7pm
3rd Thursday Quilters, 10am Ukulele Practice, 7pm
AA, 7pm
24 25 26 27 28 29 30 AA, 10am
CA, 7pm All Unity Thanksgiving Service, Unity Church of Light, 7pm
Thanksgiving Day
AA, 7pm Decorate for Christmas, 10am
December
2019
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Singles Meeting, 12pm Knitting/Crochet Group, 11am
AA, 10am CA, 7pm
Ukulele Practice, 7pm AA, 7pm
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Prayer Chaplain Mtg,
645pm AA, 10am
CA, 7pm AA, 7pm Dean Christopher
Concert, 730pm
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Bake Sale Ladies’ Night Out,
503pm Knitting/Crochet Group, 11am
AA, 10am CA, 7pm
3rd Thursday Quilters, 10am Ukulele Practice, 7pm
AA, 7pm
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Candle Lighting Service Lunch with Santa
AA, 10 AM CA, 7pm Christmas Day
AA, 7pm Remove Christmas Décor, 10am
29 30 31 Burning Bowl Ceremony
